Beaufort County Property Taxes
The median property tax rate in Beaufort County is 0.82%, which is lower than the national median of 0.99% but higher than the South Carolina state median of 0.72%. With a median home value of $278,200 in Beaufort County, the typical annual property tax bill is around $2,400, which is below the national median of $2,690. Property taxes in Beaufort County are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which generally falls below the actual market value due to various property tax exemptions like the primary residence and agricultural exemptions. Understanding Beaufort County's specific property tax system, exploring available exemptions, and identifying opportunities for property tax reductions can provide significant annual savings. Whether you live in Beaufort or another part of Beaufort County, gaining a comprehensive knowledge of local property taxes will benefit both homeowners and real estate investors.
Last Updated June 14, 2024
Beaufort County Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$2,500,000
$5,000,000
Average Tax Rate
0.72%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$1,440
Ownwell’s Beaufort Property Tax Bill Calculator helps any homeowner, real estate investor, or potential owner to estimate their annual property taxes in Beaufort with just 2 data points. Enter your property's estimated assessed value, and our calculator applies the median tax rate in Beaufort to estimate your property tax bill. This insight helps you understand potential tax liabilities. If you’d like to see trends on a city level, scroll down to navigate to a more local informational page. Your property assessed value is the value assigned to your property by your county for property tax calculations. Assessed value takes into account any exemptions you may have on your property.
Property Tax Rates Across Beaufort County, South Carolina
Property taxes in Beaufort County play a crucial role in funding essential local services like public schools, road maintenance, and emergency services. The median tax rate in Beaufort County is 0.82%, which is lower than the U.S. national median of 0.99%. Local government entities within Beaufort County set these rates annually, and they can vary significantly between different areas within the county. Each year, Beaufort County estimates its required budget to maintain services for the upcoming fiscal year, and divides this budget by the total value of all taxable property in the jurisdiction, resulting in the property tax rate. Although tax rates and budgets are influenced by laws and voter input, this calculation forms the basic process for setting property tax rates. The following data compares Beaufort County's effective property tax rate with other areas in South Carolina and the national median. For comparison, the city of Daufuskie Island has one of the higher property tax rates in South Carolina at 1.85%, while the city of Hardeeville boasts one of the lowest at 0.49%. Analyzing how Beaufort County's tax rates stack up against these benchmarks can give homeowners a better understanding of the local tax landscape.
Average Beaufort County Tax Rate
0.82%
Average South Carolina Tax Rate
0.72%
Average United States Tax Rate
0.99%
Property Tax Rates Across Beaufort County, South Carolina
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aiken | 1.19% | 1.19% | 1.19% | 1.19% | 1.19% |
| Beaufort | 0.54% | 0.67% | 0.84% | 1.76% | 2.08% |
| Bluffton | 0.45% | 0.52% | 0.69% | 1.26% | 1.74% |
| Daufuskie Island | 0.65% | 0.76% | 1.85% | 1.96% | 2.04% |
| Fripp Island | 1.54% | 1.61% | 1.72% | 2.23% | 2.53% |
| Hardeeville | 0.29% | 0.48% | 0.49% | 0.83% | 1.30% |
| Hilton Head | 1.64% | 1.64% | 1.64% | 1.64% | 1.64% |
| Hilton Head Island | 0.54% | 0.59% | 1.41% | 1.72% | 1.79% |
| Lexington | 1.42% | 1.42% | 1.42% | 1.42% | 1.42% |
| Lobeco | 1.08% | 1.08% | 1.08% | 1.08% | 1.08% |
| North Augusta | 1.80% | 1.80% | 1.80% | 1.80% | 1.80% |
| Okatie | 0.46% | 0.53% | 0.66% | 1.33% | 1.73% |
| Port Royal | 0.49% | 0.72% | 1.31% | 1.89% | 2.05% |
| Ridgeland | 1.73% | 1.73% | 1.73% | 1.73% | 1.73% |
| Saint Helena Island | 0.54% | 0.66% | 1.31% | 1.74% | 1.85% |
| Seabrook | 0.42% | 0.65% | 0.98% | 1.61% | 1.86% |
| Sheldon | 0.57% | 0.64% | 1.56% | 1.79% | 1.80% |
| Yemassee | 0.24% | 0.63% | 1.07% | 1.54% | 1.78% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Beaufort County, South Carolina
Understanding the difference between "market value" and "assessed value" is key to comprehending property taxes in Beaufort. The market value represents the price a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open, competitive market, considering location, property condition, and current economic trends. For tax purposes, this value is estimated by the Beaufort Appraisal District. The assessed value, however, is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits based on local laws and available programs. The assessed value is then used to calculate your property taxes by multiplying it by the combined tax rates of all relevant taxing entities. Assessment notices in Beaufort are typically mailed in the spring, usually by the middle of April. These notices provide homeowners with both the market and assessed values, along with an estimate of the annual property tax bill. By distinguishing between these valuation concepts, property owners can better navigate their tax responsibilities and understand how their property taxes are affected. Being aware of these valuation processes in Beaufort will help you identify opportunities for appealing assessments or applying for exemptions to manage your tax burden more effectively. In Beaufort, the highest median tax bill is found in Sheldon at $19,689, while the lowest is in Lobeco at $262.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Beaufort County, South Carolina
Source: Ownwell
$24,200
$838,625
$1,653,050
Average Beaufort County Assessed Value
$278,200
Average South Carolina Assessed Value
$140,000
Average United States Assessed Value
$244,900
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Beaufort County, South Carolina
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aiken | $122,700 | $122,700 | $122,700 | $122,700 | $122,700 |
| Beaufort | $20,200 | $108,900 | $199,000 | $310,000 | $500,000 |
| Bluffton | $125,000 | $203,200 | $277,500 | $407,400 | $674,080 |
| Daufuskie Island | $78,000 | $200,000 | $357,100 | $559,100 | $867,860 |
| Fripp Island | $320,080 | $365,050 | $440,000 | $545,000 | $608,000 |
| Hardeeville | $271,200 | $328,100 | $480,400 | $542,800 | $576,340 |
| Hilton Head | $244,400 | $244,400 | $244,400 | $244,400 | $244,400 |
| Hilton Head Island | $119,300 | $225,000 | $403,550 | $646,575 | $1,030,930 |
| Lexington | $86,200 | $86,200 | $86,200 | $86,200 | $86,200 |
| Lobeco | $24,200 | $24,200 | $24,200 | $24,200 | $24,200 |
| North Augusta | $153,000 | $153,000 | $153,000 | $153,000 | $153,000 |
| Okatie | $185,000 | $242,975 | $316,000 | $472,950 | $838,160 |
| Port Royal | $43,100 | $99,000 | $153,800 | $233,100 | $332,000 |
| Ridgeland | $201,800 | $201,800 | $201,800 | $201,800 | $201,800 |
| Saint Helena Island | $8,400 | $42,400 | $205,000 | $392,700 | $591,800 |
| Seabrook | $8,100 | $22,900 | $81,100 | $233,450 | $464,190 |
| Sheldon | $972,000 | $1,249,050 | $1,653,050 | $2,049,425 | $2,419,600 |
| Yemassee | $8,240 | $15,350 | $42,950 | $103,200 | $212,410 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Beaufort County, South Carolina
In Beaufort County, SC, property tax bills are calculated based on the assessed value of a home, which is a percentage of the market value. The local tax rate, also known as the millage rate, is then applied to this assessed value to determine the tax bill. Several factors influence the assessed value, including the home's location, size, and any improvements made. Homeowners in Beaufort County experience a wide range of tax bills, with the 25th percentile at $1,237 and the 75th percentile reaching up to $4,683. For those at the 90th percentile, tax bills can soar to $9,061. Compared to the national median property tax rate of 0.99%, Beaufort County's effective rates can vary significantly. This variability can have a substantial impact on homeowners, influencing their overall housing costs and financial planning. For instance, the highest median tax bill in the county is $19,689 in Sheldon, while the lowest is just $262 in Lobeco, showcasing the diverse tax landscape within the region.
Average Beaufort County Tax Bill
$2,400
Average South Carolina Tax Bill
$1,086
Average United States Tax Bill
$2,690
Property Tax Bills Across Beaufort County, South Carolina
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aiken | $1,459 | $1,459 | $1,459 | $1,459 | $1,459 |
| Beaufort | $167 | $931 | $1,761 | $3,090 | $5,209 |
| Bluffton | $763 | $1,250 | $2,011 | $3,630 | $6,335 |
| Daufuskie Island | $836 | $2,382 | $5,002 | $8,316 | $13,533 |
| Fripp Island | $7,645 | $7,752 | $7,931 | $8,824 | $9,361 |
| Hardeeville | $1,016 | $1,980 | $2,679 | $3,319 | $5,471 |
| Hilton Head | $3,996 | $3,996 | $3,996 | $3,996 | $3,996 |
| Hilton Head Island | $1,105 | $2,225 | $3,865 | $7,340 | $13,362 |
| Lexington | $1,226 | $1,226 | $1,226 | $1,226 | $1,226 |
| Lobeco | $262 | $262 | $262 | $262 | $262 |
| North Augusta | $2,752 | $2,752 | $2,752 | $2,752 | $2,752 |
| Okatie | $1,023 | $1,565 | $2,495 | $4,477 | $7,824 |
| Port Royal | $248 | $837 | $1,671 | $2,801 | $4,526 |
| Ridgeland | $3,491 | $3,491 | $3,491 | $3,491 | $3,491 |
| Saint Helena Island | $100 | $336 | $1,704 | $4,501 | $8,093 |
| Seabrook | $95 | $211 | $657 | $1,997 | $4,108 |
| Sheldon | $7,240 | $9,970 | $19,689 | $30,325 | $37,665 |
| Yemassee | $64 | $143 | $346 | $867 | $1,868 |
Source: Ownwell